Electric switch



Jan. 8 1924'.

E. G. K ANDERsQN ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 3, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 8 1924. 1,480,138

E.G.K.ANDERSON ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 5, 1918 2 Sh66tS-Sh69t 2 Patented Jan. 8, 1924.

ERNST G, K. ANDERSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY IVIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO APPLETON ELECTRIC (30., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed April 8, 1918. Serial No. 226,419. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known .that I, ERNST G. K. ANDER- sox, a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook 4 and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Electric Switches; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical switches, and refers more specifically to a novel actuating device for the switch elements, which is so constructed and arranged that the switch may be opened and closed by the application of power to the actuating device through any one ofa number of different movements which the actuating device is capable of assuming. That is to say, the actuating device for the switch is so constructed and associated with the switch elements that it has universal movement so that when swung in either direction or is moved endwise the efiect of such movement is to actuate the switch elements, either to open or close the switch, depending upon whether the switchbe opened or closed at a given time; the same movement of the actuating member operating to either open or close the switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel controlling elements between the actuating member and the means which open and close the switch.

Other objects of the invention are to improve and simplify the construction of electrical switches, and the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of the parts shown in the drawings and described in the specification. and is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is an axial section of the switch and its mounting.

Figure 2 is a similar section on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the switch.

Figures 4, 5, and 6 are details of the frame of the switch mechanism.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a plunger element, which is interposed between the actuating member and the switch elements.

the line 7 Figure 8 is a plan view similar to Figure 3, w th the parts in changed positions.

Figures 9, 10, and 11 are sectional details illustrating the different positions of the parts in the operation of'the switch.

Figure 12 is a perspective .detail of thethe base being cut away at its top to provide a cavity or recess 16 having side ex tensions 17.

18 designates as a whole the frame of the switch mechanism (shown best in Figures 4, 5, and 6). 19 designates as a whole a plunger element (Figure-7) which slides on the frame. 20 designates the actuating device which may either be actuated .by a pull -chain, as indicated in' Figures 1, 3, and 8, or

may be actuated by direct contact with the hand, as indicated in Figures 10 and 11, wherein the end of the actuating device is finished to suit the purpose of the push device. The actuating device is so mounted in the frame 18 that it may be swung in all directions, and it has at'its inner end aiiange or seat 21 which engages a flat seat 22 on the plunger element 19; the extent oi contact between said seat and flange being such that when the actuating device isswung, as, for instance, into the position shown in Figure 8, the flange is advanced at one side so as to push the plunger inwardly. Said flange is circular so that regardless of the direction of swing, the-plunger element will be moved inwardly to a like ex-. tent. 23, 24 designate, respectively, the movable and fixed switch elements by which the circuit is made and broken- The fixed switch element is attached in any suitable manner to the base 15. The movable switch element is hinged to a stud 25 on the frame 18 to swing towards and away from .the fixed switch element. Said frame 18, as best shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, embraces a floor or base 28 which is formed with a raised por-tion'29, a back upstanding flange 30, and parallel side flanges '31. 32 desig nates side extensions of the base. On one to lock the frame in place, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2. The forward end of the raised portion 29 of the base 28 is provided with a downturned, apertured lip 36, and the base is provided between the side flanges 31 with a slot 37. The side extensions 82 are formed'to provide inwardly turned guide lugs 38. Preferably said frame 18 is made of a single piece of sheet metal by a suitable swaging method.

The plunger element 19 is also made of a single piece of sheet metal It is folded between its ends to produce the straight seat portion 22. One end of the piece of sheet metal is cut away to form spaced guide arms 40. The other end of the piece of sheet metal terminates in short lugs 41. Said arm and lug members are respectively slotted at 42, 43. They are spaced from each other to receive one end of a controller member designated as a whole by 45. Said controller member has a widened end portion at; that is provided with an aperture 47, and the other end of the controller member is shaped to produce a head 48 that is provided at each side with a horn 49. The wider end 46 of said controller member fits in the space between the arm and lug members Q1 and 4:0. The rear or outer margin of said widened end of the controller memher is made straight and is normally parallel and contacts with the inner side face of the member 22.

50 designates as a whole a spring reversing device. lit comprises a base 51 which, as herein shown, is of disc-like form, and oppositely disposed upstanding arms 52, 53. .T he latter arm is forked. The said spring reversing device is rotatably mounted on the raised portion 29 of the base by means of a Stud 54: that extends through an aperture 55 in said raised portion of the base. The headed end 48 of the controller member lies over the disc-like base of the spring reversing device or member, and the horns 49 are adapted to respectively engage the lugs 52, 53.

' 58 designates a leaf spring which extends between the arms 33 and 34:. Said spring is somewhat longer than the space between the ad acent faces of said arms, and is seated at its ends in recesses 59 at said inner faces. By reason of the spring length. as compared to the distance between said arms, said spring, when seated in said notches 59 assumes a bowed position, as shown in Figure 3.

The movable switch member 23 is provided on its upper side with a clip 60, shown zi eeoaee as being apertured to fit over the hinged stud 25. It is fixed in any suitable manner to said switch member. The inner end of the clip 60 carries two downwardly tending arms 61 which extend through slots in the switch member 23. The spring 58 extends between said arms 61 and also between the forked members of the arm 53.

62 designates a rod which slides through guide openings in the raised part of the base 28 of the switch arm. Said rod is formed at its rear end with an upstanding member 63 that engages the slot 37 of said frame and also the slots 4-2 and t3 of the plunger element 19. The upstanding member 63 also extends through the opening 47 in the controller member 45. A spring 65 surrounds said rod 62 and is interposed between the downturned lip 36 and the upstanding member 63. The spring is an expansively acting spring and tends to force said upstanding member 63, together with the sliding plunger. element 19 and the controller member 45, outwardly into the normal positions of the parts illustrated in Figure 1. When said plunger element, carrying with it the controller member &5, is forced inwardly, either by swinging the actuating member 20 in either direction, or by pushing it endwise inwardly, the spring 65 is placed under compression, the rod 62 protruding from the lip 36,- as the parts are forced inwardly, as indicated in Figures 8 to 11, inclusive.

The operation of the switch device is as follows:

The parts are illustrated in their normal positions in Figures 1, 2, and 3 to close the switch. In this position of the parts the spring 58 is bowed inwardly or away from the actuating member. Inward movement of the controller member 45, effected by either swinging or pushing'endwise the actuating member, causes one of the horns 49 of said controller member to engagev with the single arm 52 of the spring reversing device and acts to thereby swing the spring reversing member in a clockwise direction.

The effect of thus swinging said spring reversing member is to cause that portion of the spring 58 which passes between the members of the forked arm 53 to be bent or bowed outwardly towards the actuating member in the position indicated in Figure 10 and to finally cause said springto spring to a bowed position opposite to that shown in Figure 3, and as shown in Figure 8. By reason of the fact that the spring extends between the arms 61 of the clip 60, the effect of thus reversing the bow of the spring is to swing the movable member 23 of the switch on its pivot 25 away from the stationary'membe'r, as indicated in Figure 8. The arm .52 of the spring reversing member terminates elow the spring 58 and the Elli) naeoaee spring does not interfere with the movement of said arm.

When manual pressure is released fr0mthe actuating member 20, the spring 65 acts on the, upstanding member 63 to restore the plunger element and controller member, as well also as to restore the actuating member 20 to their normal positions. Figure 11 illustrates the full or complete throw of the controller member 45, and Figure 9 illustrates the positions of said parts corresponding to the positions which said parts occupy in the adjustment illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 10 illustrates the controller member 45 in an intermediate position when first forced inwardly by the actuating member 20, and Figure 11 illustrates the extreme throw of the parts when the actuating member is pushed endwise inwardly. Figure 8 illustrates the same position of the parts as shown in Figure 11, but with the actuating member operated by a swinging movement.

Vhen the parts are restored from the position indicatedin Figure 11 to normal position, the controller member 45 will pass outwardly from the disc-like body of the spring reversing member 50, leaving said reversing member and its upstanding arms in the position which it is shown to occupy in Figure 11. In being so restored, the controller member-45 is tipped slightly to one side about the upstanding member 63 as an axis, much in the manner illustrated in Figure 10, so as to allow the horn 49' associated with the arm 53 to pass-said arm. Keeping in mind that the spring 58 is bowed in the direction indicatedin Figure 11, when the controller member is restored to position shown in Figure 9, it will be seenthat when the controller member is again fdrced inwardly, the lower horn 49 engages with the arm 53 below the forks thereof and turns the spring reversing member in an anticlockwise direction. Said spring reversing member, in thus being turned, acts through the forked arm 53 to bend the spring 58 in the opposite direction, and the coaction of said spring with the arm 61 of the clip 60 serves to swing the movable member of the switch into position for closing the switch, or that shown in Figure 3.

It will be noted that the guide lugs 38 of the frame 18 engage the arms 40 of the plunger element 41 to hold the latter from rising.

The switch herein illustrated is what may be termed an oscillating snap switch, but

the switch actuating device shown is not limited in respect of the broader aspects of the invention in its application to any particular construction of switch whether it be aswinging switch, an oscillating switch, a rotary switch. or other switch, but is adaptable to all forms of switches in which the switch elements are quickly separated in both 1. An electric switch comprising, in combination with suitable circuit closing members, a frame therefor, an actuating device mounted in the .frame for universal swinging movement and for axial movement, said actuating device being provided with an extended sea-t face, and a switch controlling member having an extended seat adapted for coaction with the seat of the actuating device.

2. An electric switch comprising a. movable switch member, a frame, a controller member mounted for'sliding and tipping movement on said frame, means to operatively connect said controller member with said switch member, a plunger element carrying said controller member, and an actuating device for said plunger element.

3. An electric switch comprising a movto impart endwise movement to the plunger element.

4:. An electric switch comprising a movable switch member, a frame, a controller member mounted for sliding and tipping movement on said frame, means to opera- I tively'connect said controller member with said switch member, a plunger element carrying said controller member, and provided with a wide face, and an actuating device mounted for universal swinging and endwise axial movement on a support and provided with a wide face to engage the face of said plunger element.

5. An electric switch comprising a base, a fixed terminal and a cooperating movable terminal supported on the base, spring controlled throw-over means for actuating said movable terminal to open and close the switch, and an actuating device mounted for universal swinging and axial movement on the base for actuating said throw-over means.

6. An electric switch comprising a base, a fixed terminal and a cooperating movable switch member supported on the base, a rocking, spring controlled reversing member operatively connected to the movable switch member toopen and close the switch,

. rocking, spring controlled reversing memher operatively connected to the movable switch member to open and close the switch, a controller member mounted .for sliding and .tipping movement for actuating the reversing member, and means for giving sliding and tipping movement of said controller member.

8, An electric switch comprising a base, a fixed terminal and a cooperating movable switch member supported on the base, a rocking, spring controlled reversing member operatively connected to the movable switch member to open and close the switch,

a controller member mounted for sliding and tipping movement for actuating the reversing member, an actuating device mounted for universal swinging movement, and operative connections between the controller member and said actuating device.

9. An electric switch comprising a base, a fixed terminal and a cooperating movable switch member supported on the base, a rocking, spring controlled reversing member o peratively connected to the movable switch member to open and close the switch, a controller member mounted for sliding and tipping movement for actuating the reversing member, a plunger element carrying said reversing member and controller member, and an actuating device for giving endwise movement to said plunger element.v

10. An electric switch comprising a base, a fixed terminal and a cooperating movable switch member supported on the base, a rocking, spring controlled reversing member operatively connected to the movable switch member to throw it from one extreme position to the other to open and close the switch, a controller member mounted on the base for reciprocating and tipping movement, and coacting with said reversing member, and means for reciprocating and tipping said controller member.

11. An electric switch comprising a base, a fixed terminal and a cooperating movable switch member supported on the base, a rocking, spring controlled reversing mem ber operatively connected to the movable switch member to throw it from one extreme position to the other to open and close the switch, a controller member mounted on the base for reciprocating and tipping movement, and an actuating device mounted for universal swinging movement on the base for actuating said controller member.

12. An electric switch comprising a frame, a controller member mounted for sliding and tipping movement on said frame, a plunger element carrying said controller member, an actuating device mounted in the frame for universal swingable movement transmitting movement of the spring to a movable switch member, said plunger member being provided with a wide face, and an actuating member mounted on said frame for universal swinging movement and formed with ,a wide face to engage the corresponding face of said plunger element.

14; An electric switch comprising a frame, a plungerelement mounted to slide therein, a controller member carried by said plunger element and having a limited pivotal movement thereon,' said controller member being provided with horns, a rocking spring reversing member'having projections for engagement by said horns, a

spring connected to said re ersing member,

with means for transmitting movement of the spring to a movable switch member, and an actuating member mounted on said frame for universal swinging movement and formed witha face to engage a corresponding face of said plunger element to operate the latter, said actuating device being also mounted for operative axial movement in the frame.

15. An electric switch comprising, in combination with a swinging switch member, a frame to which said member is pivoted a leaf spring compressed between abutments on the frame to cause the spring to bow, and a switch actuating device constructed with means to reverse the bow of said spring through alternate actuations of said device and to thereby control said swinging switch member.

16. An electric switch comprising, in combination with a swinging switch menr ber, a frame to which said member is pivoted, a leaf spring compressed between abutments on the frame to cause the spring to bow, a rocking member provided with a notch to enga e the spring between its ends, and means for alternately rocking said member.

17. An electric switch comprising, in combination with a swinging switch memher, a frame to which said member is giving endwise movement to said controller pivoted, a. leaf spring compressed between member.

abutments on the frame to cause the spring In testimony whereof I claim the foreto bow, a rocking spring reversing member, going as my Invention, I hereunto append 5 a controller member slidable over said rotamy signature at Chicago, Illinois, this 23rdtive member and provided with 'horns day of March, 1918.

adapted for engagement with projections on said rocking member, and means for ERNST G. K. ANDERSON. 

